Jun 19, 2009

V: 85 L: 225 W: 58Web:tabou-boards.comThe Ride: Tabou’s Pocket Wave comes in numerous sizes and has gained popularity as a wave board that performs on flaterwater as well. It has a very similar feel to the F2 but with a little more lively ride. It offers a very well balanced rider position and plenty of stability to make it a great board for the first time wave sailor, or even those new to boards in the 85 liter range. The thick tail allows the board to plane easily with minimal rider input needed and also helps heavier footed riders cruise through lulls. On the water this means you can focus more attention on the wave instead of foot-placement, board trim or body position and react to your surroundings much easier. In the DTL conditions of San Carlos the Pocket Wave worked best as a one hitter with the wide tail on the 85 liter version requiring a fair amount of effort and movement to repeatedly going rail to tail. We wondered if maybe the 80 or even 75 liter version might have been the better size for these conditions? In an onshore set-up or smaller waves this wound not be an issue as one hit is all you’re going to get. On flat water the boards liveliness feels great and helps give the board some pop for jumping or launching into your favorite new-school spinny moves.The Parts: The Team Edition we tested had great finish work nice straps and a fin that was of good quality and perfect sized for bump and jump conditions.